Associations: Who is Your Customer?

By |2023-11-02T13:16:11-05:00November 2nd, 2023|

Who is your customer? How straight forward and easy a question is this for your association?   For some associations, this is easy, members. For others it isn’t as simple, so Boards need to stop, assess, and ask this important question.   Associations spend money on strategic planning. Post pandemic, strategic [...]

Association Management Company = Dream Team

By |2023-10-25T11:09:32-05:00October 25th, 2023|

The association’s long-time executive director who managed every aspect of the professional association, is leaving and to fulfill this role, the association’s Board of Directors has hired an association management company (AMC). But what does this mean? How will it benefit membership? And will it be expensive? Just a [...]

Importance of Key Message Training for an Association’s Board of Directors

By |2023-10-19T10:59:06-05:00October 19th, 2023|

Key message training for an association’s Board of Directors is often thought as a tactic when the organization is in crisis communications mode. But the fact is, it is an essential aspect of effective communications and governance. It helps to ensure Board members are all on the same page [...]

The Importance of a High-Functioning Association Board

By |2023-09-07T12:29:22-05:00August 24th, 2023|

Developing a high-functioning Board is no easy feat for an association, but it can be the difference between a surviving association and a flourishing one. Joan Garry, an internationally recognized champion for the nonprofit sector, is at the forefront of transforming a dysfunctional not-for-profit Board into a high-functioning Board [...]

The Importance of Fostering Relationships Between an Association’s Board & Staff

By |2023-04-13T10:52:08-05:00April 13th, 2023|

“The unique and multifaceted relationship between the board and its executive is perhaps the most important relationship leading to organizational success or failure. Like the two partners in a skating competition, each side can either bring out the best in the other or prevent the other from skating well.” [...]

Associations: Navigating the “New Normal”

By |2023-02-17T07:54:49-06:00February 16th, 2023|

The pandemic has all Association Management Companies (AMC) working with their association clients to rethink how to get back to “normal” or define the “new normal” for their operations.  Connecting In-Person vs Virtual   Many associations have returned to in-person meetings and conferences while maintaining the virtual attendance option. Depending [...]

Practicing The Art Of Woo (Winning Others Over) Within An Association

By |2023-02-13T14:47:54-06:00February 7th, 2023|

Difficult people are everywhere. Despite one’s best efforts some people are never pleased. But when they are exhibitors at an association event or tradeshow how can they be transitioned from difficult to champion? Practicing the art of WOO or Winning Others Over can help move difficult exhibitors to enthusiastic [...]

The Role Continuum for Chief Staff Executive and Board of an Association

By |2023-02-13T13:45:36-06:00December 8th, 2022|

In previous articles, I have written about the CSAE CEO Symposium led by Glenn Tecker. I find some of the tools provided at this workshop to be so valuable I keep the workbook on my desk. One of my most referenced tools is the role continuum for the chief [...]

Embrace the Cloud: Using SharePoint with Association Boards

By |2023-02-13T13:19:15-06:00November 16th, 2022|

High-performing association board members are busy enough. Volunteer boards put trust into their association staff to maximize efficiencies and make the best use of their time, skills, and knowledge as an expert in their field. The second piece of the puzzle, and how these efficiencies come full circle, involves [...]

The Importance of Conflict of Interest Policies within an Association’s Board

By |2023-02-13T12:56:29-06:00October 27th, 2022|

Each Board member brings to the Board a special set of skills and life experiences. Volunteering is the lifeblood of not-for-profit associations, and attracting qualified leaders often attracts people that may have conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts of interest with the association they are involved with. So, how [...]

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